Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially, economically and environmentally sustainable cities. Its work is primarily guided by the New Urban Agenda (NUA), which was promulgated during the Habitat III Conference in Quito in 2016, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which aims at making “cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. UN-Habitat works and cooperates with governments at all levels, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, civil society, amongst others, in two main lines of action – normative and operational. Whilst the former includes support to the development of policies, norms, programmes and plans in housing and urban development, the latter entails implementation of projects in a variety of fields, such as participatory slum upgrading. UN-Habitat has been present in the country since 2009. The programme has worked with the Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde, as well as municipalities across the country, to advance several policies and projects concerning housing and urban development, namely the National Housing Policy (PNH) and the National Urban Policy (PNOTU), as well as ground activities in several communities including collaborative planning and small-scale infrastructure interventions. Cabo Verde has experienced a positive path towards sustainable development for more than two decades. It has been ranking within the top 11 African countries in human development and classified among medium income countries since 2008. However, the country remains vulnerable to external shocks owing to its dependency on tourism. In the past couple of years, multiple crises have challenged the country’s development progress: COVID-19, with a socio-economic impact amongst the highest in the world, led to a decrease of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 14.8%, public revenues by 25%. Climate change impacts on biodiversity and food security as changing weather patterns (especially droughts) influence agricultural production and ocean warming with decreasing fish stocks. Also, the current war in Ukraine is having a negative impact on the economy that is heavily relying on fossil fuels and where 80% of food stocks are imported. The post is located in Praia Cabo Verde duty station. Under the direct supervision of Senior Human Settlement Officer, the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities:
Responsibilities
a) Managerial and technical support to the “Promoting Local Development in Cabo Verde” programme • Oversee and provide technical advice on urban and regional planning, local governance, local finances and different issues related to the UN-Habitat’s role in the Joint Programme, to the UN-Habitat’s team as well as different governmental institutions and programme counterparts at national and local levels; • Actively support the implementation of UN-Habitat activities of the JP, including the engagement of technical experts, engagement of implementing partners and/or sub-contractors, producing progress reports, monitoring activities, providing comments and technical inputs, etc.; b) Coordination with national and local authorities: • Act as Liaison Officer for the Government and coordinates with Government officials on UN-Habitat on-going and planned activities in Cabo Verde by promoting, advocating and raising awareness on the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goal n. 11, the Habitat Country Programme Document and UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2020-2025; • Support national authorities and other national/local stakeholders in participating and/or holding national and international events related to UN-Habitat’s mandate and work, e.g. National Urban Forums, the Urban October (including the World Habitat Day and the World Cities Day), the World urban Forum, Africities, the Habitat Assembly, among others; • Ensure capacity-building opportunities in fields related to urban and housing development for government officials and other relevant stakeholders are pursued within and beyond the scope of ongoing projects. c) Programme development, management and resource mobilization: • Provide leadership and support in the implementation of the HCPD for Cabo Verde, and support its implementation and monitoring; • Identify programme and project opportunities and actively support resource mobilization efforts, advocacy and building partnerships; • Negotiate and prepare Terms of Reference, Memorandums of Understanding, Agreements of Cooperation and other substantive documents with programme and project-specific partners; • Support the smooth implementation of on-going projects and activities at country level, including reporting and the application of proper administrative processes; • Provide high-level technical oversight for on-going projects in the fields of urban and housing development, as well as associated fields. d) Team management, communication and reporting: • Supervise, manage and monitor UN-Habitat team members working in Cabo Verde in coordination with the Senior Human Settlements Officer responsible for Cabo Verde within the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf); • Support recruitment and procurement processes to ensure the programme holds the necessary resources for the implementation of projects; • Share information on available UN-Habitat reports and tools with national and local government partners; Promote knowledge management through good practices and supports reporting to donors, UN System and Government. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. • Performs any other duties as may be assigned
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the New Urban Agenda and the SDGs, especially SDG 11; knowledge of Urban Governance, Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Development, Urban Resilience and Risk Reduction, Housing and Slum Upgrading; knowledge on the country’s current development challenges. Knowledge of project management; ability in solving administrative challenges and openness to change and ability to manage complexity. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. CLIENT ORIENTATION:: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Advanced University (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture, engineering, urban and regional planning, disaster risk management, urban sociology or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum 5 years in project management in areas related to Urban Development, Housing, Slum Upgrading, Urban Governance, Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Resilience and Institutional Capacity Development is required. Experience in liaising with National and Local Authorities and in dealing with communities and local and national institutions is required. Experience working in an inter-cultural environment is desirable. Experience in dealing with development partners and the United Nations or similar organisations is desirable. Experience in fund-raising and resource mobilization, especially in a UN environment is desirable. Experience in building partnerships and alliances for the implementation of joint strategies and programs is desirable. A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required, Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of any other UN language is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary- General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. When completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.